Bitter Melons © Denzil Green Bitter Melons are an Asian, tropical gourd with a bitter taste that comes from naturally-occurring quinine in them. They have ribbed, warty skin, and are oblong, like a small, fat cucumber. Both the fruit and the leaves are used. They grow on an annual, climbing vine that produces both male…
Gourds
Fuzzy Melons
Fuzzy Melons are a type of edible wax gourd. They are not just a young form of Winter Melon. They grow on annual vines that can be allowed to grow over the ground, or can be trained to a trellis. The skin on the gourds feels fuzzy from fine white hairs on the green, blotched…
Gourds
Almost all gourds are inedible squashes that are grown for ornamental purposes. There are only a few that are used for food, such as Luffa Gourds, though Luffa are perhaps better known for the sponges that can also be extracted from them. Related entries
Luffa Gourds
Luffa Gourds © Denzil Green Luffa Gourds are closely related to cucumbers. All varieties have thin skin, but one variety (Luffa acutangula) has ridges on it; the other (Luffa cylindrica aka Luffa aegyptica), has smooth skin. The plant is an annual vine that grows from seed. The seeds have a tough shell on them, so…
Opo Squash
Opo squash are long, green squash with a mild taste, like zucchini / courgette. Peel and seed then use for cooking. It holds its shape well when cooked. Choose young ones; older ones can get bitter tasting.